Minerals Minister Anthony Mavunde has urged mining investors to speed up the implementation of their projects, saying delays are denying the country economic benefits, employment opportunities and increased revenue from the sector.
Speaking after meeting executives of Faru Graphite Corporation in Dar es Salaam on June 19, Mr Mavunde said Tanzania had created a favourable investment environment that has attracted growing interest in the mining industry.
He said the government now expects investors whose projects have secured approvals and reached advanced stages of development to move swiftly into implementation.
“Tanzania has continued to attract investors due to the conducive environment created by the government. It is now important for projects that are yet to commence operations to proceed so that the country can realise the intended economic gains,” he said.
The meeting focused on progress toward the development of the Kinywe graphite project in Mahenge District, Morogoro Region, one of the country's major planned graphite mining investments.
Mr Mavunde called on Faru Graphite to accelerate key preparatory activities, including compensation payments to residents who will be affected by the project, to ensure construction and mining operations begin without unnecessary delays.
The minister said the project, which is expected to operate for about 26 years, has the potential to create jobs, stimulate business activity and contribute to economic growth in Morogoro Region and beyond.
Graphite has become an increasingly important mineral globally due to its use in battery manufacturing and clean energy technologies, placing projects such as Kinywe in a strategic position within the evolving energy transition value chain.
Black Rock Limited chief executive officer John de Vries said the company remained committed to advancing the project and appreciated the government's support during the development phase.
He said preliminary construction activities would continue once the rainy season ends, noting that weather conditions had affected some planned works.
The Kinywe project is expected to be among the significant mining investments contributing to Tanzania’s efforts to expand mineral production, attract capital investment and strengthen the sector’s contribution to the national economy.
